Dr. Frederick Lamb
University of Illinois
Determining the properties of neutron stars using NICER
October 10, 2022
4:30 p.m.
CW 102 or Zoom
Email office@phys.ksu.edu for the Zoom address
Email office@phys.ksu.edu for the Zoom address
NASA's Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) is a new X-ray instrument with unique capabilities. Now operating on the International Space Station, it is accurately measuring thermal X-ray emission from the surfaces of several pulsars. These measurements can be used to simultaneously determine the mass and radius of the neutron star. The radii of these distant stars have been determined to within about 500 m. As a result, the equation of state of the ultradense matter in them is now known with unprecedented precision. I will describe the unique capabilities of NICER, how the data it is returning is used to determine the properties of ultradense matter, and the prospects for further advances.